PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 24160, 2 April 1942, Page 4

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT When a famous playwright marries a hard-working woman doctor it seems obvious that two careers are involved. But so, the playwright finds to his surprise, are two addresses, two ways of living, two , different lime schedules. The wife starts early, works late; the husband rises late, goes to bed eany. The result, as plaintively put by Charles Bo'yer, is that an appointment is necessary every time they are to get together. From these ingredients Universal has manufactured an engaging film, ‘ Appointment for Love,’ which will open a season at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, with much comedy in the use of the two apartments in the same building inhabited by the newly-married pair, 1 the efforts of the husband (without success) to make the wife jealous, the interruptions which come to their married life from her professional duties, and the way she makes her husband jealous without knowing in the least that she is doing so. The leading roles are taken by Charles Boyer and Margaret Sullavan. EMPIRE “ Cheer-germ George ” would be a good nickname for George Formby, whose popularity as a “ blues ” chaser is amply illustrated in his latest film, ‘ Turned Out Nice Again,’ which opened at the Empire today. Accompanied by his banjo, George sings quite a number of catchy songs, among which is ‘ Auntie Maggie’s Remedy,’ a song which should become popular. The latest medium for George Formby’s troubles is a lingerie firm that has not even heard of the naughty' ’nineties, let alone the twentieth century, and as a consequence it does not fare too well against its competitors. George is also cursed by a mother whose idea of having a holiday is accompanying her son and daughter-in-law on their honeymoon. Between the two George has a rough time, but trouble really brews when he goes to London to manage his firm’s exhibition —and that is just what it is, only not in the sense that the firm intended. STATE Melvyu Douglas, lately - associated with the racy, rowdy type of comedy, such as Columbia’s recent hits, ‘ Too Many Husbands ’ and ‘He Stayed for Breakfast.’ finds a refreshing new angle on comedy in ‘ Our Wife,’ new Columbia picture which opened at the State to-day. Here we see Douglas as the bewildered male over whom two women fight for possession. Ruth Hussey and Ellen Drew are seen in the feminine leads, one using her bead and the other her curves to attract the confused Mel. John Hubbard, another comedy star of exceptional merit, who has appeared in such films as ‘ She Knew All the Answers, ‘ Turnabout,’ and ‘ He Stayed For Breakfast,’ adds much gaiety to a film which audiences will look upon with delight. Charles Coburn, currently the screen’s outstanding comedy character of his type, rates honours of his own. John M. Stahl is credited with the production of the film. ST. JAMES The heat of the jungle drums which pound out a pattern of tense drama, the romance of a beautiful savage and a happy-go-lucky adventurer, plus all the colour of the tropic isles, make Universal’s * South of Tahiti,’ commencing at the St. James to-day, one of the brightest entertainments of the season. Brian Donlevy, Andy Devine, H. B. Warner, Maria Montez, and Ignacio Saenz have the featured roles in this fast-moving film, which concerns the plotting of marooned mariners to steal the fabulous treasure of the islanders. As will be surmised, romance finds a prominent place in the story, but there is a full measure of excitement as the scene unfolds to reveal barbaric dance scenes, tribal ritual, and an attack by beasts of the jungle. ‘Sailors on Leave,’ which will be screened in conjunction with ‘ South of Tahiti,’ savours of life in the Navy, and is a sparkling comedy, featuring William Lundigan, Shirley Ross, Chick Chandler, and Ruth Donnelly. OCTAGON When Walt Disney was a boy he always thought the best part of a circus was the .clowns. When he started work on his latest feature, picture for RKO Radio release, ‘ Dumbo,’ which opens at the OctaAutumn Handicap.—Within, Sister Mary, Biworthy. Wilkin Handicap.—Westfield,, Catalpa, Countless. Flying Handicap.—Nelson Eddy, Gold Bar, Walter Moore. The following are the acceptances:— 12: Preliminary Handicap, £3OO. Class 3.35. 14m.—Bill Grattan, Bomber, Jock McGrath scr, Houghton Feast, Judgment, Westcliff 12yds, Lady Scott, Listowcl, Royal Worthy 24, Milestone 38, Shadeland .48, Jimmy Drusus 60. 12.40 p.m.: New Zealand Futurity Stakes, £750. 1m sf. Sports Guide, Integrity, Symphony, Great News, Hargood’s Pride, Communique, Knapdale Lass, Safety Pin, Sandiways, Pacing Power, Follow Me. Southern Way, Quite Loyal, Warform, Sir 'Gaillard, Leamington. 1.25: Express Handicap, £450.. Class 4.34. 2m. —Hardy Oak, Jacose, Scapa Flow, Turco, Waitaki Power scr, Coquette, Double Peter, Gold Bank, Gold Pot, Lady Carol, Wainoni Girl 12yds, Burt Scott, Ronald Logan 24. 2.5: Easter Handicap, £750. Class 4.28. 2m. —Clockwork. Donald Dim, Fremont, Haughty, Lightning Lady, Pleasant Guy scr, Gold Bar 12yds, Peter Smith 24, Bayard, Springfield Globe 36. 2.45: Belfast Handicap, £SOO. Class 4.31. 2m.—Great Blaze, Harold Guy, Jackaranda, Red Ranger, Three Tens scr, Cbatmos, Our Peggy, Special Edition 12yds, Accountant, Loyal Rey, Worthy Need 24. 3.25: Autumn Handicap, £SOO. Class 3.46. 1m sf.—Allie Audubon, Gantou, Guy Hugo, Te Kahu,. Timworthy scr, Mali Jong, Pilot Peter, Sister Mary 12yds, Margin, Mohican, Reception, Within 24, Biworthy 36. Grade Fields, Peggoty 48, Gerfalcon 72. 4.5: Wilkin Handicap, £3OO. Class 3.45. 1m sf.—April Direct, Calalpa, Gold Chief, Warfield scr, Philario, Trireme 12yds. Blaydon, Countless, Direct Bell, Jack Spratt, Nationalist, Royal Grattan, Sahu 24, Busted Flush 36.

4.50: . Flying Handicap, £450. Class 2.12. Ira.—Bronze Eagle, Fremont, Lightning Lady, Nelson Eddy, Our Jewel, Peter Smith, Stormtost, tienuku, Walter Moore, Worthy Need scr, Springfield Globe 12yds, Gold Bar 24.

fon at 10.15 this evening, he decided hc’d_ ave plenty of clowns in this, his very own circus.' The ‘ Dumbo ’ clowns in the story are feuding with the elephants, who maintain that their social status is higher. When little Dumbo, the baby elephant hero, gets disgraced, his punishment consists of having to be a clown, complete with dance cap and frill around his neck. The clowns, quick to torment one of the “enemy,” also dress Dumbo in a yellow wig, a white nightgown, and ipake him jump from a burning building into a vat of plaster of Paris. The act goes over sensationally, and the clowns boastfully sing their own song, ' Clown Song,? the lyrics of which dwell on “ we’re going, to hit the big boss for a raise.” How Dumbo outwits the clowns and his other tormentors through the very fact that he is made to take ms daring leap is the climax of this gay, touching, and exciting Disney feature, which was photographed in multiplane technicolour. STRAND / Two amusing features comprise the programme at the- Strand, which commenced to-day. The main film, ‘ Bowery Blitzkrieg,’ is a vehicle for the East End Kids, whose escapades provide comedy sequences on a par with any of their previous performances. / The principal character? are Leo Gordey and Bobby Jordan. Drama with music and romance with laughs describes the second picture, ‘ They Meet Again,’ hi which Jean Hersholt and Dorothy Lovett ia*»e the title roles. GRAND Excitement on the high seas when aliens who are being deported overpower , the officers and crew of a ship is the keynote of Columbia’s recent release, ‘ Mystery; Ship,’ which commenced at the Grand yesterday. The story is unusual and timely,, dealing as it does with the problems of the Government of a friendly Power in accounting for undesirable aliens and saboteurs. Paul Kelly and Larry Parks are teen in the roles of G-men assigned to the ship, while Lola Lane- plays a newspaper reporter wk stows away on the vessel. Packed with suspense, the film reaches its thrilling climax when the prisoners break out of their quarters and seize the vessel. How the officers regain control furnishes the basis for dramatic surprises. The associate picture is the Western, ‘ Cattle Raiders,’ featuring Charles Starrett, Donald Grayson, and Ins Meredith. MAYFAIR Two pictures having, the ingredients of fine entertainment were presented in the new programme at the Mayfair Theatre yesterday. Walter Pidgeon and Florence Rice are the principal actors in the main feature, ‘ Phantom Haiders,’ and the supporting cast includes Nat Peudleton and Donald Meek. Brilliant comedy is contained in ‘ Mexican Spitfire Out West,’ starring Lupe Velez and Looney Leon.