ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1938, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE.

A high. tension aviation drama, “Reported Missing.” will be finally screened to-night at the Opera House, featuring William Gargan and Jean Rogers. Here is a. mystery that will intrigue all, from the opening scene to the fade-out. Others in the. cast are: Dick Purcell and Hobart Cavanaugh. “SUPER SLEUTH.” As an amateur crime-solver in “Super Sleuth,” in which he is costarred with Ann. Sothern, Jack Oakie enlists the aid of the murderer he is seeking. This situation gives rise to comedy scenes as well as to physical suspense. The action takes place in the film capital and employs a background of picture-making-. “SuperSleuth” will be finally screened tonight at the Opera House. “THE BOMBING OF SHANGHAI.” This is a short subject showing the horrible and most, gruesome pictures, in the present, conflict between China and Japan. Recommended for adults and definitely unsuitable for children. Final screening at the Opera House to-night. “NIGHT MUST FALL. Something decidedly new comes to Iho screen of the Opera House tomorrow and Saturday in "Night Must Fall” with Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Bussell. Skilfully directed this daring story presents an entirely new technique Cor crime fiction. Without the element of mystery, (he story introduces a pathological killer whose mission is known before he starts io act- Montgomery chose deliberately Io step from heroic roles io this difficult characterisation. He saw the London stage play and urged the director to buy it so that he might play the killer role, 'flic supporting cast includes members of the original London cast during the run of 55 consecutive weeks. Dame May Whitty. Merle Tottenham. Matthew Boulton and Kathleen Harrison acquit themselves brilliantly in their original stage roles. Also deserving of plaudits are Alan Marshall and E. E. Clive.

KKCEXT THEATHE. Sizzling with fast action, crackling with excitement, and replete with romance and comedy, “Secret Valley,” starring Richard Arlen, will be shown to-night, at the Regent. Theatre. The storj- concerns a. two-fisted ranch-owner, played by .Richard Arlen who permits a beautiful young girl to seek seclusion on his ranch. Il is not until he falls in love with her that he learns she is hiding from a ruthless racketeer, who deceived her into marriage. A bride of one hour, she had discovered his deceit and' fled to Reno for a. divorce ami concealment on the nearby ranch. Through the double-crossing of a scheming lawyer, the gangster husband is advised of the girl’s hiding place ami he and his henchmen swoop down on the ranch. A thrill-laden battle ensues between the cowboys and the gangsters, climaxed by the arrival of Federal officers in search of the mob leader. Richard Arlen is at his best in his role of tlie rugged ranchman with trip-hammer lists a.nd hair-trigger wits. Virginia. Grey, pretty blonde Miss, makes an auspicious debut, as his leading lady, while other members of the cast who turn in capable performances are Jack .Mulhall as .an honest divorce lawyer. Norman Willis as the slick racketeer. Russell Hicks as the scheming attorney, and Willie Fung as a comical cook. Other roles are ably filled by Sid Saylor ami Maude Allen.

“OFF TO THE RACES. ” Thai happy, scrappy Jones Family, a nousehold as real as your own and as funny as your neighbour’s, moves into new and hilarious phase of its career in “Off Io the Races.” to he shown to-night at Hie Regent Theatre. When Uncle Slim Summerville ami his horse drop in on the Joneses, the begin, and the typical American household is off on the most laughable, side-splitting time it has ever experienced. Add, for good measure, Slim’s provoking daughter. Ann Gillis, a meanie from the word go, and you have a rough idea what harried Jones Family is up against. All the players who have made the Jones Family the country’s hest-love.d elan are here again—Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, Spring Byington. Kenneth Howell. George Ernest, June Carlson, Florence Roberts ami Billy Mahan—and Russell Gleason makes a new heart interest opposite lovely young Shirley Deane. Russell and Shirley find their engagement prematurely announced' by Slim's niece, Mrs Jones learns with dismay that hay and oats have suddenly become the biggest, items on the family’s bills, and Mr Jones, posing for a picture with Jerry 8., is thrown from the sulky when the trotter chases after a passing engine. Meanwhile, Slim has inveigled the family into supporting his chances of winning the big race at, the country fair. When he is unable to drive in the crucial heat. Jed Prouty fearfully takes his place, driving Slim's noble steed in a mad, wild race that climaxes the thrillingest. funniest Jones Family mix-up you’ve over seen.

“ARTISTS AND MODELS.” The air waves have been combed and the entertainment world turned upside down for talent and' the answer is “Artists and Models”—tuneful girlfull, mirthful comedy, coining on Saturday to the Regent Theatre! Jack Benny, Andre Kostelanetz, and Connie Boswell —to start with! Then there’s lovely Ida Lupine, Richard Arlen, glamorous Gall Patrick, Ben Blue—and many others, together with hundreds of beautiful models brought, from America's most famous studios and ateliers! You simply must not miss “Artists and Models” if you want ■to see one of the most gorgeously produced comedies of the current season! “WOMEN HAVE THEIR WAY” Theatricals forsee a world-wide revival of their art, not only because people are tiring of films, but because all love live personalities and a story that, reveals the workings of the human heart directly through personality, rather than through mechanism. •This is a favourable augury for an admirable comedy, “Women Have Their Way,” which will be staged by a clever amateur company, at the jTown Hall on Wednesday. The cast, : of fourteen ..principals, eight of them female characters, is exceptionally

chosen. The story is that of a marriage match which is brought off, in spite of obstacles, such as Illustrate the saying that true love never runs smoothly. The leading figure, “Juanita," the Spanish village helle (played j by Miss Eunice Scott), and her lover, a young man from Madrid (Mr. Neil Collins), have as their supporter the genial lady “Cornelia” (Mrs. Plank), who minds the business of everybody else, including lovers. Other females keenly interested are the two nieces) (Misses Phyllis Bond and Miriam I Stephens), of the pastor (Mr. Frank! O’Halloran), while there is the complication of a. previous suitor (Mr. Wm. Payne): but rhe greatest obstacle facing “Juanita” and the young man from Madrid is the pastor's sister, (Miss Ada Smeaton), who is dead set against the match. The aunt of “Juanita” (Miss Gladys Wallwork) is helpful, likewise the maid at the pastor's house (Miss Marie Courtney), whereas the man servant (Mr. Tim O’Farrell) and another mere male (Mr Don. Reid); are doubtful allies, though they are decidedly funny, and like-1 wise an additional female with a finger in the romantic pie (Miss Peggy Stewart). In an affair of the kind delineated in this comedy,* it. is quite an appropriate climax when the women do have their way. Popular prices are being charged, and the box plan is open at Kijgour’s. The performers are all perfect, in their roles, and the public can look forward to a brilliant presentation of the famous play.