ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 February 1937, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE One of the most colourful dramas of the year, “Frisco Kid,” with James Cagney heading an all-star cast, will be screened to-night and to-morrow at the Opera House. Set on the Barbary Coast of old San Francisco in the early fifties, it is a story of the tumultuous gold rush days when adventurers from the world over congregated on Frisco’s waterfront, including criminals, cut-throats, murderers, gamblers, women of the demimonde, and every type of human shark. “Crimps” would knock cold an innocent sailor, rob him of his “stake” saved to prospect for gold, and even try to “shanghai” him. James Cagney has the most poAverful role as a sailor —a crude, ignorant, but dominating character with a driving force and a magnetism that not only wins battles with the underworld, but eventually the love of a beautiful and talented woman of the npperworld. Margaret Lindsay as the girl, gives a fine portrayal in this picture. Others in the cast include Ricardo Cortez, Donald Woods, Barton McLane, and Robert McWade.

OUR GANG Another of the Our Gang matinees Avill be held on Saturday at the Opera House, the programme to be screened including Richard Cromwell in “Men of the Hour,” which is an air story. There is also a comedy, cartoon, serial and tilsd the usual novelties. “SHOW~BOAT” There’s a rousing urge in the call, “Here comes the ‘ShoAV Boat.’ ” For several years, “Show Boat” has been the basis for a series of national broadcasts. Noav the 1936 screen version is coming to the Opera House on Monday. You will hear the marvellous songs created by Jerome Kern and Oscar Kammerstein 11. But there is a great deal more than music to hold you spellbound Th “ShoAV Boat.” There is the romance and quickening throb that Edna Ferbei- created in her novel. There is the human drama that Oscar Kammerstein Avove into the play. There is the magic of the actors Avho portrayed the characters on the stage and who noAv make them live in the film. Irene Dunne is -glorious in the romantic singing role of Magnolia. Allan Jones is the dashing Revenal who Avins her heart Avith his handsome appearance and his appealing voice. Charles Winninger, Avho Avas Captain Andy in the stage play, and the ShoAV Boat captain on the radio for more than three years, is the genial skipper in the motion picture. Helen Westley gives the hardbitten Parthy stern reality as the captain’s wife. Then there is Paul Robeson, the magnificent baritone Avho looks like a bronze statue and sings like “all God’s chillun” in Heaven. Wait until you hear him do “Old Man River” and “Ah Still Suits Me,” Avith a chorus of 200 voices chanting in Avaves of beating sound that sweep, and flow on a river of rhythm. A cast of 3500 people gives the picture stirring vitality. You will be captivated by Helen Morgan’s memorable songs; pleased by the clever dancing of Queenie Smith and Sammy White. You will see 48* beauties in a dozen different sparkling numbers that shoAv the development of American dances, from their early beginning to the modern steps of to-day. You’ll find music and singing and laughter; romance and thrills and drama in this screen hit. Ladies and gentlemen: Here comes the “ShoAv Boat,” and it’s headed straight for the Opera House on Monday. All aboard!

REGENT THEATRE The final screening of “The Farmer in the Dell” and “Everything is Rhythm,” will be given to-night. “LITTLE MISS NOBODY.” Bubbling with laughter and bursting with song, roguish Jane Withers, comes to the Regent Theatre on Saturday in her joyous new hit,- “Little Miss Nobody.” The picture follows the adventures of a merry orphan through escapades both hilarious and pathetic. Features in the strong supporting cast are Jane Dai-well, Ralph Morgan, Sara Haden, Harry Carey and Betty Jane Hainey. Jane is a mischievous, nameless orphan, who wins “Trouble” for her first name. Her heart is as big as the sky, and many of her scrapes arise from the fact that she is constantly trying to shield her pal, Betty Jean. Jane, when her real father appears to claim her, even goes so far as to switch identities with the other little girl to save her from being adopted •by an arrogant, newly-rich woman. This proves Jane’s undoing, however, for the matrons of the institution misconstrue her act. She is sent to the reformatory. En route there she makes her escape and finds refuge in a pet shop owned by an escaped convict, Harry Carey. Jane confesses the entire story to him and he arranges a secret meeting with Betty Jean living nearby. “Dutch,” another criminal who is blackmailing Carey, overhears the conversation and locks Carey in a closet, intending to ransack Betty Jean’s house. How Jane contrives to outwit the crook and win happiness for all those who aided and loved her, makes her finest film to date. “Then Came the Indians,” a rollicking new song hit, presents Jane with the - opportunity to sing, dance and perform her inimitable clowning.

SHORT NIGHT DANCE. A special invitation is extended to learners to attend the usual short night dance at Herb Moore’s Cabaret, Monday night. DANCING. Miss Dorothy Thwaites will re-open her school on Wednesday, February 24, at 3 p.m. The latest dances will be taught, including ballet, American Tap, Character, Operatic dancing etc., and physical culture. Intending patrons may interview Miss Thwaites from 3 p.m. daily at Druids’ Hall. OPENING OF AIRPORT. Another important step forward in the progress of Greymouth will occur to-morrow (Saturday), with the official opening of the Greymouth Airport and the Greymouth Aero Club’s hangar- and club rooms. Cook Strait Airways’ two six-passenger planes will arrive at 2.30 p.m. on their inaugural visit to the West. Coast. Invitations have been issued to Mr Savage, Mill. Semple, and Mr F. Jones to attend. Representatives from all local bodies will be present to participate in the ceremony. The club’s planes will be conducting joy-riding. Sideshows and refreshments will be in the charge of Mr M. Jamieson and Mr P. Coll. Given fine weather, an afternoon's enjoyment is assured.

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVEIL From Angus and Robertson, Sydney:— “Forty Fathoms Deep,” by lon L. Idriess. The author is now perhaps the “best seller” in the Commonwealth, and his popularity, should be maintained by this latest contribution to his descriptions of the more adventurous types of life in Australia. The dangers, ordeals, and often, tragedies, associated with the search for pearls are vividly described, as, also, is the technical side of the industry. Truth is shown to be more thrilling than fiction. and as the book is copiously illustrated, every reader will find it easy to share—in perfect safety—the

perils that bring pearls. Mr Idriess believes in the potentialities of the North and North-West, material as well as romantic, and, of course, writes from personal experience, not from text-books by others. This book may be strongly recommended. “Contract Kernels Up-to-date,” by Myia A. Millingen. The contents of this book are based on the formula of the approach-forcing system perfected by Mr Ely Culbertson, and it embraces all the latest features of his system. It is clear and concise, and will bo of assistance both to the novice and the seasoned bridge player. From David Crozier, Ltd., Christchurch:—“Austin Magazine,’! January: Features an interesting review of

the past ten years’ progress of the industry in Britain, by Lord Austin, and has the customary collection of interesting photographs, articles, hints to drivers, etc.